Who am I kidding? The plan – cancelling my tv service for improved mental and physical health – has failed miserably. Even as few as ten years ago the implementation of that decision would have been obvious much sooner. Not these days, though, when I carry around a mini transmitter/receiver everywhere.

Am I moving more? Perhaps…to and from the phone charger for sure. (For a few more days I can blame it on the weather). Am I snacking less? It’s a bit more challenging to eat while using the phone than it was while watching television, but practice makes perfect.

Am I cooler, calmer and more collected? Nope.
The ‘why’ is a bit messy. Lighthearted uplifting programming can be found on TV with some effort, but those shows didn’t always air in times that fit my schedule. Much of TV revolves around news and reality programs; neither is appealing to me in 24/7 doses when ratings rule over undoctored facts.

Unfortunately the TV is not the major culprit in my quest to be a healthy and productive senior citizen. It is my addiction to this portable screen I am typing on now. It is certainly possible to use it for work and leisure and not get sucked in, but my brakes failed. I don’t sit in my rocking chair staring mindlessly at the television set; I rock mindlessly as I swipe a screen that takes up greater chunks of time than the set ever did.

Those chunks of time are getting creepier, too. The technology seems to spy on my activities, listen to my conversations, track my wanderings and bombard me with increasingly horrific events. The customizing of my feeds lures me into using the screen even more to escape what I can’t fix.

Enough already. Time to tackle a different strategy for optimal boomer health and happiness. I want live, face-to-face connections to reign… no, not via Facebook live and video chat but via in-the-flesh, reach-out-and-touchable interactions. I hear humans make great pals and playing with my cat vs watching cat videos has benefits for both me and the cat.

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About Teresa Pearson Lee

Retired after 33 years of teaching English and French (one year in private school in Memphis, TN and the rest in public school in Doniphan, MO. Enjoying new adventures - all those things I put off for lack of time, energy, now I can try them! Pottery, writing, traveling, camping, kayaking, dancing, listening to some of the best live music ever, and making lively new friendships. All christened with an appreciation for great red wine!
Created and operated KC's on the Current, then sold it and managed it for new owners. You might still find me at the reservation desk when spring rolls around.
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO near The Hill. Though a transplant to Southeast Missouri, still a city gal at the core with a deep love of the natural resources in these Ozark foothills.
Currently I am a content coordinator for Poplar Bluff Living Magazine and a columnist/stringer for the local weekly The Prospect News. My rescue Siamese helps with most of the proofreading; he has a great ear.
I relish the solitude easily had in the Mark Twain Forest but thoroughly enjoy lively outings for music, wine, conversation close to home or in my beloved hometown.
Technology is my greatest challenge but so worth the shared connections. There may be a need for solitude but there is little loneliness.
The material in this blog written by Teresa Lee is her property and cannot be used without express written consent to do so.